Imphal : Manipur has initiated training sessions for Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and consultations with political parties as part of a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the State’s photo electoral rolls. The exercise, guided by the Election Commission of India (ECI), mirrors similar activities underway in Bihar, and has drawn criticism from Opposition parties, who allege it could be a veiled attempt at implementing a National Register of Citizens (NRC).

According to Joint Chief Electoral Officer Ramananda Nongmeikapam, the preparations are in line with ECI’s broader plan to conduct SIR across multiple States. “We are following the ECI’s communication, both formal and informal. There is no timeline yet for the full rollout in Manipur,” he told The Hindu.

District Election Officers across Manipur have issued notifications referencing SIR activities with respect to January 1, 2026 as the qualifying date. One such notification from Kakching district mentioned that discussions would include house-to-house surveys and rationalisation of polling stations as part of pre-revision exercises.

A meeting held on July 25, chaired by the Joint CEO, briefed political parties about the SIR’s objective to improve electoral accuracy and integrity. However, Manipur Congress President Keisham Meghachandra, who attended the meeting, raised concerns about attempts to alter the voting addresses of internally displaced persons (IDPs) currently living in relief camps due to the ongoing ethnic violence. “Changing their address now would derail the peace process,” he said.

Training sessions and political meetings have so far been held in Assembly constituencies such as Khangabok, Phungyar, Lamlai, Heirok, Noney, and Ukhrul.

Neighbouring Nagaland has also held similar training programmes this month, where the responsibilities of BLOs under the SIR were a key focus, according to the State’s Department of Information and Public Relations.

The revision exercise in Manipur is taking place against the backdrop of continued ethnic unrest between the valley-based Meitei community and the hill-dwelling Kuki-Zo tribes. Allegations of illegal immigration from Myanmar—especially by the Kukis—have long been a flashpoint, and were a major campaign issue for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where the party pushed for the implementation of an NRC in Inner Manipur.

Meghachandra reiterated the Congress’s demand for a fair and transparent process, cautioning against the inclusion of bogus voters. “Even Home Minister Amit Shah and former CM N. Biren Singh have spoken about illegal immigration. The process must not be used to manipulate the voter list,” he added.

Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 2025, nearly two years after ethnic tensions erupted. With the current term of central rule nearing its end, a resolution to extend it by another six months has been tabled in the Rajya Sabha but is yet to be passed.